Line TC/ Base Refresh

You know a real base grind from a shop is the same price as that shitty belt grinder right?

I feel like 90% of the things on LTC are a bad idea which is why it's fun to watch lol

Just give me your money and ski in the parking lot.

A real base grind from a ski shop will actually put a texture into your skis, unlike the belt sander which will just remove base material. Fine for getting rid of the scratches, but it doesn't actually put any texture into it.

But honestly? In our shop we basically have a giant belt sander, the belt on it has been detuned a bit so it doesn't take off as much material but otherwise it's the same.

ljackstarA real base grind from a ski shop will actually put a texture into your skis, unlike the belt sander which will just remove base material. Fine for getting rid of the scratches, but it doesn't actually put any texture into it.

But honestly? In our shop we basically have a giant belt sander, the belt on it has been detuned a bit so it doesn't take off as much material but otherwise it's the same.

Thats what it seems like i would be getting if i brought them to my shop

aidanaughtonThats what it seems like i would be getting if i brought them to my shop

I mean, i would still bring them to a shop. The texture in the skis is what actually matters, and it's probably only 20$

ljackstarI mean, i would still bring them to a shop. The texture in the skis is what actually matters, and it's probably only 20$

What does the shop use to give texture?

aidanaughtonWhat does the shop use to give texture?

After sharpening the base of the ski using the belt shops use a stone (that has had a specific texture cut into it using a diamond cutter) to slice the bases and add texture.

This would probably only be worth it if you get free skis

ljackstarAfter sharpening the base of the ski using the belt shops use a stone (that has had a specific texture cut into it using a diamond cutter) to slice the bases and add texture.

Interesting... I feel like theres gotta be a good way to do it at home, guess only one way to find out... give it a shot haha

When you get a base grind at a shop, the first step is somewhat similar to using a sander in that it does use sandpaper to do a coarse flattening of the bases and edges. Usually only use a sander if bases are deeply gouged or need major repair. Would still be far more evenly done in a shop as the sandpaper wheel is much wider than a hand sander and it would be easier to maintain even pressure over the length of the ski.

After doing major flattening with the belt sander or if the skis aren’t too bad, you can go straight to the stone grinder for a flattening/pre-grind pass. If the skis were sanded, this step removes the gritty texture left behind by the sanding stage. A stone grinder is much finer grit and removes less base material so it is preferred over sanding alone.
After the base is flat from the stone, additional passes are done on the stone to add structure patterns on the base in order to let the ski glide better.

So just sanding alone isn’t recommended and would never get bases ground at places that don’t have a stone grinder to properly finish the base. Just pay the $20 or so and have it done right at a shop with their $15k plus stone grinders.

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For reals. Also what makes you think you should get a base grind OP? Are you hoping to shave tenths of a second off your laps?